In our life everybody asks himself: Who am I? The answers to that question generate everyone’s self-perception which will be always part of one’s identity. The latter is one of the major themes appealing in Leslie Marmon Silko’s "Ceremony" and this seminar paper will focus on the two characters Tayo and Rocky. They show the problems occurring for persons that are “caught between two worlds”. Tayo feels ashamed of himself because of his white ancestry. His cousin Rocky, on the other hand, is a full-blood Indian, but does everything to be a part of the “white world”. Both are somehow caught in the middle because of living in-between.
The first part of the paper will focus on demonstrating the development of these two major characters in Ceremony. It is an important section because “[in] essence, the individual’s actions and character define his identity” (Jenlink & Townes 2009: 127). Therefore, to analyze Tayo’s and Rocky’s identity or search for it, one has to examine their life career and relations with other persons because “[…] a person’s identity is [also] influenced by others recognition of that identity […]” (Jenlink & Townes 2009: 127).
This seminar paper will also focus on the similarities and distinctions between the two mentioned characters and the topic identity including the associated term hybridity, for example. The reasons for the accurate analysis of Tayo’s and Rocky’s characteristics by comparison are their different philosophy of life and searching for identity. Living in a reservation unfolds a unique way of life which differs from the lifestyle of the White’s. Therefore, it creates further hurdles for Tayo and Rocky, but “[this] search for identity […] is a social as well as an individual problem. The kind of answers one gives to the question Who am I? depends in part upon how one answers the question What is this society? - and this world - in which we live” (Lynn 1999: 14)? One has to be able to define his position in the world. This is why this topic also represents a problem of today’s people. There are still humans that are caught between two worlds because they are of mixed descend and were unsuccessful in the search for the sense of belonging. The reasons are sometimes the same like 50 years ago.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The progress of Tayo and Rocky in Ceremony
2.1. Tayo - the culture hero
2.2. Rocky - the symbol of a changing generation
3. Characteristics of Tayo versus Rocky
3.1. The similarities between Tayo and Rocky
3.2. The distinctions between Tayo and Rocky
4. Identity in Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony
4.1. Tayo’s search for Identity
4.2. Hybridity in Ceremony
4.3. Relational Identity in Ceremony
5. Conclusion
Objectives & Core Topics
This paper explores the construction and crisis of identity in Leslie Marmon Silko's novel Ceremony, specifically examining the experiences of the protagonist Tayo and his cousin Rocky as they navigate the challenges of being "caught between two worlds." It investigates how personal history, cultural hybridity, and the search for belonging shape individual self-perception within the context of Native American reservation life and the aftermath of World War II.
- Analysis of the developmental paths of Tayo and Rocky.
- Examination of character similarities and structural distinctions.
- Evaluation of Tayo’s healing process and his search for identity.
- Discussion of cultural hybridity as both a struggle and a tool for survival.
- Exploration of relational identity through connections between cultures.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Tayo - the culture hero
“Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel Ceremony (1977) unfolds a half-breed’s search for identity amidst fragmented shards of his own tribalism, a way of life torn asunder by centuries of oppression” (Swan 1991: 39). There is talk of the protagonist called Tayo. He is a Native American of mixed descent living in the Laguna Pueblo reservation who has been a prisoner of the Japanese during the World War II. “His efforts to finish the ceremony by correct action form the last half of the novel, just as the first half was composed of the events which made him sick” (Evasdaughter 1988: 84).
Silko illustrates Tayo’s recovery by first making him sick. At the beginning of the novel the protagonist is suffering from the so called disease “battle fatigue”. Stationed in a Veteran’s Hospital where he feels invisible and unable to communicate, he has dreams and memories of the war which show that he is not only sick after the war, but he was it also during the war. In the Philippines he was ordered to shoot Japanese soldiers and he saw Josiah among them. Despite of Rocky’s explanations that it could not be possible because they were thousands of miles away from the reservation, Tayo remained unhinged.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the core problem of identity loss for individuals caught between two cultures, establishing Tayo and Rocky as the primary case studies for this investigation.
2. The progress of Tayo and Rocky in Ceremony: This section details the life paths of both characters, framing Tayo as a traditional culture hero in recovery and Rocky as a tragic representative of forced assimilation.
3. Characteristics of Tayo versus Rocky: Here, the paper contrasts the cousins, analyzing how their shared experiences and fundamental differences inform their distinct reactions to their environment and cultural heritage.
4. Identity in Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony: This central chapter explores the mechanisms of Tayo’s identity crisis, the role of hybridity in his personal evolution, and how relational connections to other cultures facilitate his eventual healing.
5. Conclusion: The summary highlights that while Tayo and Rocky represent different responses to dual-cultural pressure, their stories underscore the vital need to accept one's hybridity to achieve a sense of belonging.
Keywords
Identity, Leslie Marmon Silko, Ceremony, Native American, Hybridity, Tayo, Rocky, Cultural assimilation, Reservation life, Battle fatigue, Relational identity, Laguna Pueblo, Healing, Belonging, Transcultural literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this academic paper?
The paper examines the concept of identity in Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel "Ceremony," focusing on characters who feel alienated while living between different cultures.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the search for belonging, the psychological impact of war, cultural hybridity, the trauma of assimilation, and the importance of traditional healing practices.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The objective is to analyze how the protagonist, Tayo, resolves his identity crisis and overcomes his trauma to become a "culture hero" who reconnects with his heritage.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author employs literary analysis, comparing character development, examining structural motifs in the novel, and integrating theoretical concepts regarding identity and post-colonial studies.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The body covers character profiles (Tayo and Rocky), a comparative analysis of their traits, and a deep dive into the specific psychological and cultural dynamics of Tayo’s recovery.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Identity, Hybridity, Native American, Ceremony, Cultural assimilation, and Relational identity.
How does Rocky represent a "changing generation"?
Rocky represents those who reject indigenous traditions in favor of white Western values, believing that total assimilation is the only path to success, which ultimately leads to his tragic death.
Why is the concept of "relational identity" crucial for Tayo?
It is crucial because Tayo discovers that his suffering and healing are connected to global events and other peoples (such as the Japanese), allowing him to move beyond individual trauma toward a broader understanding of his place in the world.
- Quote paper
- MA Daniel Schroeder (Author), 2012, Caught between two worlds. Identity in Leslie Marmon Silko’s "Ceremony", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/284378
